Martian Time-Slip

by Philip K. Dick

When she opened the door and saw him she said, “What is it, Jack?” She quickly held the door open and he and Manfred went on inside. “It’s going to be very bad tonight,” he told her. “Are you sure?” She seated herself across from him. “Do you have to go at all? Yes, I suppose so. But maybe you’re wrong.” Jack said, “Manfred has already told me. He’s already seen it.” “Don’t be scared,” Doreen said softly. “But I am,” he said. “Why will it be bad?” “I don’t know. Manfred couldn’t tell me that.” “But—” She gestured. “You’ve made contact with him; that’s wonderful. That’s what Arnie wants.” “I hope you’ll be there,” Jack said. “Yes, I’ll be there. But—there’s not much I can do. Is my opinion worth anything? Because I’m positive that Arnie will be pleased; I think you’re having an anxiety attack for no reason.” “It’s the end,” Jack said, “between me and Arnie—tonight. I know it, and I don’t know why.” He felt sick to his stomach. “It almost seems to me that Manfred does more than know the future; in some way he controls it, he can make it come out the worst possible way because that’s what seems natural to him, that’s how he sees reality. It’s as if by being around him we’re sinking into his reality. It’s starting to seep over us and replace our own way of viewing things, and the kind of events we’re accustomed to see come about now somehow don’t come about. It’s not natural for me to feel this way; I’ve never had this feeling about the future before.” He was silent, then.